I lived in B'ham for several months back when the earth was young and have traveled over most the state. I love the Shoals area, used to spent 6 or 8 weeks a year up there. Great lake fishing for bass, crappie, beautiful country. Alabama was originally part of the Mississippi territory, I tell Georgian that when Mississippi entered the union the Mississippian insisted Alabama be formed as a buffer between them and the criminals used to settle Georgia. Part of that is true.